Ackley, White Ink Pro Deals

UNC Athletic Comm.

08/18/2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After posting two of the most decorated careers in University of North Carolina history, 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft first-round selections Dustin Ackley and Alex White both signed professional contracts in advance of Monday's midnight signing deadline.

Ackley, who was the No 2 overall selection, inked a five-year, major league deal with the Seattle Mariners, while While, who went No. 15 overall, signed with the Cleveland Indians.

In addition to the signings, right-hander Colin Bates, who was chosen by the Oakland Athletics in the 37th round, and four drafted incoming freshmen elected not to sign professional contracts and will enroll at North Carolina next week when classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Ackley, the first three-time All-America in Carolina history was the 2009 Rivals.com National Player of the Year and the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after batting .417 with a career-best 22 home runs, 75 runs and 73 RBI as a junior. He set UNC career records for batting average (.412), hits (346), runs (227) and total bases (544) in just three seasons and also set single-season marks for hits, runs and total bases.

The Walnut Cove, N.C., native owns more hits than any player in College World Series history and is the only player to earn a spot on the All-CWS team three times.

White, the 2008 ACC Pitcher of the Year and an All-America selection as a sophomore, is a two-time first-team all-conference pick. He was 8-4 with a 3.87 ERA and a career-best 121 strikeouts over 107 innings in 2009 and is 27-14 with a 3.87 ERA and 317 strikeouts over 307 career innings. White ranks among UNC's career top 10 in strikeouts, victories and innings pitched.

Bates elected to return to Chapel Hill and will be a redshirt junior in 2010. A freshman All-America pick in 2008, Bates pitched in 34 games in relief a year ago, posting a 4-4 record and six saves. He logged a 3.15 ERA and 59 strikeouts.